commercial property solar – SolarTech https://solartechonline.com Providing turnkey residential & commercial solar solutions Sat, 19 Apr 2025 18:40:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://solartechonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-Favicon-SolarTech-32x32.png commercial property solar – SolarTech https://solartechonline.com 32 32 Step-by-Step Breakdown of a Commercial Solar Project https://solartechonline.com/blog/breakdown-commercial-solar-project/ https://solartechonline.com/blog/breakdown-commercial-solar-project/#respond Wed, 29 Mar 2023 07:05:07 +0000 https://solartechonline.com/?p=1267

You might be wondering “What the process is to get a commercial solar system?” From pre-design to permission-to-operate, there are many stages to go over, and we are here to explain what this client’s journey looks like.

After a contract is signed with SolarTech, it takes approximately 7-10 months to complete the project; dependent on factors such as installation type, jurisdiction (AHJ), and weather. The bulk of the timeline usually falls in the permitting process after plans are already submitted to the AHJ.

We will also dive into the pre-contract stages that SolarTech conducts to ensure an effective installation:

  1. Preliminary Design and Proposal
  2. Site Visit
  3. Final Design and Determine Financing
  4. Plan Submittal and Approved Permit
  5. Interconnection Agreement
  6. System Installation
  7. Permission-to-Operate

Preliminary Design and Proposal 

1 to 3 Days

After getting in touch with SolarTech, a solar expert will reach out to you by phone or email as a point of contact. Our team of experts will have a conversation to learn more about the property and business to answer any questions from tax incentives to financing. After communicating, our team needs to receive your consumption data to move forward with a preliminary proposal. The proposal usually takes 1-3 business days.

Site Visit

1 Day

Once the preliminary proposal is reviewed, the next step is for our team to conduct a site visit. Our thorough inspections of the electrical system, roof conditions, roof space, and property allow our team to provide the most cost-effective solution for you in the long term. This takes just a few hours.

Financial Design and Determine Financing

3 to 7 Days

Based on the site visit inspections, our team designs the optimal renewable energy solution for your property. Whether it is a roof mount, ground mount, carport, or battery storage, we present the best solution to cater to a potential customer’s priorities. We also determine if a roof replacement or other changes are necessary for the installation. Pricing is finalized after knowing the materials needed.

Our experts also provide multiple methods to fund a commercial solar investment. We work with trusted financing partners to best suit your needs. Method of financing, design, and contract terms are then presented.  

Plan Submittal and Approved Permit

4 to 6 months

After a contract is signed, the next step for our team is to compile the plan set. The plan set for a commercial solar project consists of electrical engineering, structural engineering, and system design. This is one of the most time-consuming aspects of the timeline which takes about 4-6 weeks, then we submit it to the AHJ.

The plans are then with the AHJ for review. At SolarTech, we only submit plans under the expedited option. With the volume of solar applications at all-time highs, our projects go to the top of the pile and our team is in constant contact with the AHJ to get them moving. Dependent on the AHJ, plans can be returned and permitted anywhere from 3-5 months.

Interconnection Agreement

TBD Timeframe

Our team develops the interconnection agreement with the local utility company once plans are approved. The application includes design documentation, information on how we are interconnecting the system, and allocation of solar credits to meters on the property. An interconnection agreement ultimately receives approval once the final inspection occurs post-installation.  

System Installation

2 to 6 Weeks

Our team develops the interconnection agreement with the local utility company once plans are approved. The application includes design documentation, information on how we are interconnecting the system, and allocation of solar credits to meters on the property. An interconnection agreement ultimately receives approval once the final inspection occurs post-installation.  

Permission-to-Operate (PTO)

TBD Timeframe

As construction is nearing completion, our team reaches out to the AHJ and local utility to get inspections scheduled. We build solid working relationships with these parties and are in constant contact with them throughout the installation process. Unfortunately, inspectors have their schedules and SolarTech can only control its own timelines. After receiving final approvals, your commercial solar system will be operational in 2-3 weeks.

If you made it this far, you just went through SolarTech’s step-by-step process for a commercial solar project. Our mission is to provide the tailor-made optimal renewable energy solution for your property and control what we can control for expedited timelines.

Every solar contractor has their methods of operation, but the summary will be similar. We advise anyone interested in a commercial solar system to ask contractors for as many details as possible on this step-by-step process.

Did you know you can create a new revenue source with Solar for your commercial buildings? We’ll show you how.

Learn More

]]> https://solartechonline.com/blog/breakdown-commercial-solar-project/feed/ 0 Roof Mount vs Carport: Best Solar Option for Commercial Use https://solartechonline.com/blog/solar-roof-mount-vs-solar-carport/ Tue, 07 Mar 2023 07:21:09 +0000 https://solartechonline.com/?p=1275 When a Property Owner has decided to invest in solar, one of the key decisions that businesses need to make is whether to install a Solar Roof Mount vs. a Solar Carport. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages and choosing the right one can depend on several factors, including the location, size of the installation, and available budget. We will explore the pros and cons of solar roof mounts and carports in commercial solar.

Solar Roof Mount

A solar roof mount is a system where solar panels are installed directly on the roof of a building. Here are some of the pros and cons of this approach.

Pros:

  • Better return on investment: With the lack of a steel structure for a carport, a roof mount provides a more cost-effective option provided that the same amount of offset can be generated as a carport.
  • Space-saving: Solar roof mounts are a space-saving option as they do not require any additional land or space. This makes them an ideal choice for businesses that have limited space. They do not obstruct signage and are often not visible from the ground.
  • Easy installation: Solar roof mounts are relatively easy to install and require less labor. The installation process can be completed in a short period.

Cons:

  • Roof life: A typical commercial property’s roof life is 20-25 years old depending on environmental factors. Before an investment in solar, the remaining roof life needs to be determined to ensure a roof replacement is not needed during the first 20 years after an installation. This can add to the investment. That being said, a roof replacement can receive the same tax incentives as a commercial solar installation when packaged together.
  • Limited capacity: Solar roof mounts have restricted capacity and can only generate a limited amount of energy, depending on the size of the installation. AC vents, skylights, and other items can obstruct solar panels from being installed.

Solar Carport

Solar Carport Example by SolarTech

A solar carport is a structure that is designed to provide shelter to parked vehicles while also generating solar energy. Here are some of the pros and cons of this approach:

Pros:

  • Utilizing space: Solar carports allow Landlords and businesses to utilize their large parking areas to monetize or provide savings on energy. Without the clutter on roofs, carports can provide a larger area to install panels and lead to a better bottom line.
  • Easy maintenance: Solar carports are relatively easy to maintain, as the panels are not attached directly to the building and have no roof life to account for.
  • Shading: Additionally, solar carports provide shade for cars and added protection from adverse weather conditions.

Cons:

  • Cost of installation: Solar carports require a steel structure to be built. Steel is an additional material that is not a part of roof mounts thus an added cost.
  • Longer timelines: The permit process for a solar carport usually adds about a month to the timeline compared to a roof mount. It requires supplementary inspections and testing to determine if they are feasible on a property.
  • Land requirements: Solar carports require a large parking area for them to be cost-efficient, which can be a challenge for businesses with limited space.

Both solar roof mounts and carports have their advantages and disadvantages. While solar roof mounts are a more cost-efficient option and easy to install, they require roof maintenance and have limited capacity. On the other hand, solar carports may provide a larger area to install panels and are easy to maintain, but they are typically a higher investment and add to the timeline. In either scenario, both types of installations allow a Property Owner to take advantage of the energy arbitrage.

Interested in having solar for your commercial property? Read more about its benefits here

At SolarTech, we partner with Property Owners to assist them in the decision of whether a Rooftop Solar or Solar Carpot presents the best return on investment. You can get this professional solar help by contacting us today.

Get Free Solar Quote

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